Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson: Good music just doesn't die

For decades now, Ian Anderson has been paying the price for rather whimsically naming two of his albums Living In Past (1972) and Too Old To Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die (1976)! At the ritualistic media briefings on the eve of a concert, two questions are tossed at the legendary frontman of rock act Jethro Tull with unfailing predictability: One, by dishing out songs composed as far back as 36 years ago, are Anderson and Tull living in the past? Two, now that he's nudging 58, does Anderson feel he's reached that age when he's finally too old to rock 'n' roll?

Perhaps tired of finding ingenious replies every time thus queried, Anderson thought it time to make a subtle "prepositional distinction" and shatter the widely-held belief that Tull was hanging on for dear life to a nostalgic trip because there wasn't much else to do. So in 2001 the group released a dvd titled "Living With the Past," packed with two hours of concert footage of songs largely from the, well, past. But the difference is significant, explains Anderson. "The "with" instead of "in" is very constructive, and indicates a sense of history rather than mere nostalgia, which is just a safe cocoon providing a blanket of security."

Last fortnight, to confuse even further, Tull kicked off its two acts in Mumbai with the title track of Living In The Past, and he'll probably do the same at the 100-odd other concerts back home in the UK, in Latin America, Germany, and Eastern Europe from February right through to May. Evidence that he isn't too old to rock 'n' roll is in abundance: Anderson still does the Krishna pose-standing on one leg and playing the flute-and struts about the stage in tights, wild, wide-eyed (though, no longer wild-haired) as he takes off on one of those raspy, surging solos.

To be sure, though, Anderson has been doing pretty well in the present, too-putting together orchestral shows, flirting with western classical music, and in Mumbai, with Hindustani classical flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia. There's just enough time for solo albums too for Anderson and Tull guitarist Martin Barre.

Anderson recognises that the recorded music industry is "under pressure", and that probably explains his long-winded tours. And he duly goes on to do his bit for the anti-piracy brigade. "Music downloads aren't helping young musicians. You have to keep in mind that for every 100 acts, just one will succeed. So by downloading music, you aren't hurting Mariah Carey, but the 99 other bands that can't be heard."

It wasn't like this in the seventies, although Anderson maintains he didn't flirt with the "hippie ideologies" of those times. And he doesn't think it's a particular good idea to associate music with any typical era. "My music is a part of life, and life isn't rooted to any particular decade. When you listen to Beethoven, you don't say: 'Oh, that's 18th century music,' now do you?" However, the founder of Jethro Tull does admit that era had its "innocence and naivete. Also, it was the beginning of progressive music, and musicians were keen to explore new influences", says Anderson, whose music is difficult to classify, what with it being a rich brew of folk, classical, and good old rock n' roll strung together in immaculately-crafted melodies. "It's difficult to do groundbreaking stuff today simply because it's already been done. It's difficult to reinvent, for instance, Jimi Hendrix. And there's Beethoven: big bold, all-embracing. If he was alive, he would be the king of Bollywood. A.R. Rahman wouldn't stand a chance."

That's quintessential Anderson for you: The articulate, provocative, naughty, seductive minstrel-not so much in the gallery, but still playing with full gusto to it.

-Brian Carvalho

HEALTH NOTES

GOLLUM'S ABS

The most vexing part of getting back into shape concerns the middle of your body: the mid-section or abdominal area. Everyone who follows a fitness regime dreams of perfect abs. Flat, taut and with the right ridges. And almost everyone who tries to get there does a whole bunch of exercises known as crunches. Crunches can be of different types. Some are done on a flat surface like an exercise mat; others are done on incline benches; yet others are done on special ab machines with weights for additional resistance. Pursuers of flat, washboard abs or a six-pack in the middle of their bodies typically do a combination of different kinds of crunches-a few sets for the 'upper' abs, a few for the 'lower' and 'middle' and, for good measure, some for the 'sides'.

Those words are in quotation marks for a reason. They do not exist. There is no 'lower', 'middle', 'upper' or 'side' abs. The abdominal muscle is one muscle-the rectus abdominis-which starts at the ribs at one end and ends at the pubis. One largish muscle with no separate parts. So doing specific crunches to target a particular 'part' of your abs is meaningless.

Yet crunches, like any other resistance-based exercise, are useful. Like your biceps or pectorals or triceps or any of the other muscles, the rectus abdominis also responds to resistance training and develops both strength and form. And yes, crunches do work this muscle. But if you expect crunches to rid you of your beer belly or that podgy layer of fat that covers your mid-section that makes you look silly in a pair of jeans, you're sadly mistaken.

Crunches can't spot reduce fat. Period. The only way you can get that layer off is by burning calories overall. Actually, that isn't the only way. There is another (and that's why the title of this piece is what it is). You can eat less and lose fat. Restricting the intake of calories forces the body to burn fat. But that route (like the sidebar on this page cautions you) can cause trouble. You might end up looking like Gollum-the character in the Lord Of The Rings, a hobbit whose form was drastically changed by the power of the One Ring into a lean frame of skin and bones. Although Gollum was very strong in lotr, let me assure you that adopting the starvation route to fat loss will not make you strong. And who wants to look like Gollum anyway?

So if crunches alone don't help and starving yourself is a bad idea, is the six-pack going to remain elusive? Not really, but if you're serious about getting it be prepared for endless drudgery. The only way to get perfect abs is by shedding fat through exercise (think 20 minutes of jogging, running or cycling regularly) plus crunches to strengthen and grow your abs. There's a third thing you have to do: eat sensibly; don't starve but watch your calories. Oh, I was forgetting the drudgery part. If you want fab abs, you'll have to follow this regime for the rest of your life. Enjoy!

-Muscles Mani

FAQS ABOUT SLIMMING PILLS

What are they?
Most slimming pills are formulations that use a cocktail of amphetamines that curb appetite or increase the basal metabolic rate. Consequently, you eat less, the body burns more fat-sometimes even muscle-and lose weight.

Any side-effects?
Plenty. These drugs tamper with normal hormonal activity and can cause a number of problems. The most common: increased palpitation, nervousness and unstable thinking. In the long run, these formulations can even interfere with the normal functioning of the kidneys and liver.

Do docs approve?
Never. Says Rekha Sharma, Chief Dietician, AIIMS: "No right-thinking doctor would ever recommend these pills. Simply because these pills serve no effective purpose and end up damaging the system. Besides, the effects are short-term-once you're off the pills, your regain weight."

Are there any alternatives?
None that is medically proven.

What about herbal weight-loss pills?
It's a myth that they can help. Says AIIMS' Sharma: "No formulation is minus harmful ingredients; companies that claim to sell 'harmless' Ayurvedic pills are either ignorant or irresponsible or unethical. Unfortunately, our FDA isn't so effective, but in any case, no slimming drug is FDA approved or legal."

How do you lose weight then?
Simple. Exercise regularly and control your diet. Eat less fat and carbohydrates and don't miss your workouts, even if it is simply a brisk 30-minute walk.

-Ananya Roy